Àró

Ibadan label head Jerome Sydenham delves into his roots and unearths an Afrobeat gem.

Although Jerome may be know today for his thunderous Techno beats that storm their way through clubs across the world every weekend, his musical taste and variety span just as far and wide as his music travels. Àró is a testament to how broad that musical spectrum stretches.

Àró (Full Afro Dub) is most certainly a record that would make Fela Kuti proud. A whirlwind of Afrobeat drums, rhythm and percussion fused together with elements of Jazz, Funk and House. The instrumentation leaves nothing to be desired as the combination of Jerome’s arrangement and production combined with the other stellar musicians is a veritable lesson in musical structure.

The B-Side turns Àró into a straight up jam sessions. Awash in funky electric guitar licks, infusing the original with glimmers of psychedelic rock. Giving us a brief glimpse into the deepest corners of the vast array of music that provides him with inspiration.

This isn't your typical House record, but that is exactly what gives it charachter. Jerome's courage and continuous desire to release quality music he believes in, is one of the reasons his Ibadan label is one of the most respected imprints around.